Liverpool looked jaded as they lost 1-0 at Chelsea on Sunday, as the Premier League top-four battle goes to the final day of the season.
Chelsea 1–0 Liverpool
Premier League, Stamford Bridge
May 6, 2018
Goal: Giroud 32′
A dog of a game at Stamford Bridge was separated by a first-half header by Olivier Giroud, with the Reds never remotely close to their best.
The huge effort in Rome on Wednesday night clearly took its toll on the players, and they were lethargic throughout in west London.
It means only a win at home to Brighton next Sunday will secure a place in the top four, which could lead to a nervy afternoon at Anfield.
Here’s how Liverpool fans reacted to the limp 1-0 defeat to Chelsea across social media and on our forums.
It was plain to see that Jurgen Klopp’s players were fatigued…
Not the game to be breaking down an opponent when so bare in depth, and clearly fatigued. A classic Conte cautious set-up, solid banks of blue. Got the result they needed – risk of burnout continues for Liverpool. #LFCdigest
— Danny Gallagher (@Danny7Gallagher) May 6, 2018
FT: Chelsea 1 #LFC 0: Giroud's first half header the difference at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool faded after a bright start. Fatigue certainly played a part. Pursuit of a top four finish will go down to final weekend.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) May 6, 2018
“I had confidence we would beat WBA and Stoke but we look dead on our legs.”
– Molby39 on the forums.
The players have run themselves into the ground in recent weeks and looked absolutely knackered today. Yet another indication that Liverpool require far more depth.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) May 6, 2018
Tired performance from Reds. We do it the hard way, as usual. On to Brighton and a must win. #YNWA
— Jeff Goulding (@ShanklysBoys1) May 6, 2018
“That was truly awful… the team looks so exhausted… especially Salah… well we need to get the job done against Brighton… lets hope Huddersfield beat Chelsea. Keep the faith Reds – YNWA.”
– Nabhan Hashim Shiraz on Facebook.
Are we running out of gas? That is the question.
— L4 (@L4Kop10) May 6, 2018
Some were still scathing of the performance, however…
So so poor.
— Tom McMahon (@tomjpmac) May 6, 2018
What a disgusting game of football.
— Erin Mc Asterisk (@ErinNYC75) May 6, 2018
That was bad. Now, if Chelsea beat Huddersfield mid-week we'll be level on points and will need to match their result on the final day to ensure top four on GD.
— The Liverpool Offside (@LFCOffside) May 6, 2018
Didn’t do enough in final third despite spells of possession. Made this top 4 battle interesting when it didn’t need to be
— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) May 6, 2018
“Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. Worst time to lose momentum too.”
– Jon Gates on Facebook.
What a game. pic.twitter.com/Ri35lyfePd
— Gareth Roberts (@robbohuyton) May 6, 2018
A bad case of the uglies by the redmen! Don't ever do that again
— Kauser Soze (@NinaKauser) May 6, 2018
Big week ahead for #LFC. Rest up and refresh – last few games there’s been nothing left in the tank.
— Si Steers (@sisteers) May 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/stehoare/status/993179962013298688
But there was still an air positivity, with many quick to point out that top four is still very much in Liverpool’s hands…
I might be wrong but I'm fairly sure most associated at #LFC would have taken a must-win at home to Brighton… and a Champions League final… back in August.
— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) May 6, 2018
The positive: It’s still in our hands. A week of rest and one win and we’re fine.
— Erin Mc Asterisk (@ErinNYC75) May 6, 2018
On the plus side for LFC should be a fitting atmosphere for final home game of amazing season. Least this team deserves as send-off to Kiev.
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) May 6, 2018
For a top four finish, Liverpool need to beat the Premier League's second worst away side, who'll have nothing to play for.
Shame it's going to the wire, but Liverpool still strong favourites to get there.
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) May 6, 2018
“Best chance of top four is to beat Brighton. Brighton. At Anfield.”
– redwhiteley7 on the forums.
Never a disgrace to lose away to last seasons champions, but that was poor. That Chelsea team aren’t great either, mind, and Liverpool will deservedly finish above them when all’s said and done
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) May 6, 2018
Every Liverpool fan should be proud of the graft the players put in there so soon after Wednesday. Utterly dominated and deserved a point. If the price you pay for a Champions League final is top four going to final day then so be it.
— David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc) May 6, 2018
We’re in the European Cup final y’know
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) May 6, 2018
Far from ideal, but if you’d said at the start of the season that we’d need to beat Brighton to secure top four I think we’d all have been delighted. No point re-writing that now. Still in our own hands. #LFC
— And Could He Play (@andcouldheplay7) May 6, 2018
Fan Comments